4.3 (3 ratings)
The Bartender
"Olive is a Los Angeles bartender who has been unlucky in love. She hopes that will change when one of the best-looking men she's ever seen walks into her bar. But he's not what he seems. Austin is tall, charismatic, and compellingly attractive. But unbeknownst to the smitten Olive, Austin is not dating her for her beauty, but merely for her usefulness. He and his childhood friend have set a depraved plan in motion. Becca is a grifter and a con-artist looking for her one big score. She's found out that Olive's boss has hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash at his house in the Pacific Palisades. Becca will do anything to make it hers. Olive becomes the unknowing intermediary and Austin her willing co-conspirator, but both are instruments in Becca's orchestration. She will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Not even murder. The Bartender is a twisting, multi-narrative thriller told through the eyes of a brave heroine and unforgettable villains: Olive, the strong but innocent young woman dragged into something sinister. Austin, sensing this will all end horribly, but without the gumption to stop it. And Becca, dollar signs dancing in her eyes, with no regard for human life."--
Pages: 279
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4.3
3 ratings
Matt D.
Feb 8, 2026
Olive enjoys her job as a bartender at the Belly Flop. One night, she meets a stranger named Austin and they quickly dive into a relationship. Austin wants open his own bar and enlists the help of Olive’s boss, Barry. However on the night when they are due to meet, a robbery occurs with tragic consequences that we’ll see Olive’s peaceful life turned upside down.
Austin might not be the perfect man she thought. He has demons from his past and one in particular has been waiting in the background. Becca is ready for her moment. No one will stand in her way.
As usual, Brian makes sure you feel like you’re in the story and living with the characters. With each chapter spoken in first person from that character, you really get a feel for how they think.
I really enjoyed this book and I know I’ll be reading more from Brian!
Austin might not be the perfect man she thought. He has demons from his past and one in particular has been waiting in the background. Becca is ready for her moment. No one will stand in her way.
As usual, Brian makes sure you feel like you’re in the story and living with the characters. With each chapter spoken in first person from that character, you really get a feel for how they think.
I really enjoyed this book and I know I’ll be reading more from Brian!
Carol G.
Feb 8, 2026
I love a book with multiple points of view and enjoyed both Olive and Becca’s chapters. For me, the first half of the book was better, with more action/twists and I wasn’t completely sold on the ending. I really didn’t want one character to die either!! All in all though, this book was a solid 4 star read and I will be checking out more from this author.
Keeley W.
Feb 8, 2026
The bartender is a twisty, multi-perspective game of cat and mouse.
Olive is a gorgeous 26-year-old bartender who is smitten with the best-looking man to walk into her place of work on a random Monday.
Austin is the guy with whom she's smitten, but he's not after Olive for her beauty; he's the other half of a cunning plan with his childhood friend.
Becca is a con artist looking for a big score. After discovering that Olive's boss has hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash at his Pacific Palisades home, she sets a cunning plan in motion. Becca will stop at nothing to get her own way, even murder.
This is a cunning tale with lots of twists. There's some romance and spice in the mix, too.
Olive is a gorgeous 26-year-old bartender who is smitten with the best-looking man to walk into her place of work on a random Monday.
Austin is the guy with whom she's smitten, but he's not after Olive for her beauty; he's the other half of a cunning plan with his childhood friend.
Becca is a con artist looking for a big score. After discovering that Olive's boss has hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash at his Pacific Palisades home, she sets a cunning plan in motion. Becca will stop at nothing to get her own way, even murder.
This is a cunning tale with lots of twists. There's some romance and spice in the mix, too.